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St. Olaf to host conference on globalization and social responsibility

By Kari VanDerVeen
February 14, 2008

What is work? How is it changing as a result of globalization? What kinds of relationships between workers, employers, labor unions and the government promote social justice? These are the questions at the heart of a conference that will be held at St. Olaf College Feb. 22-23 titled "Globalization and Social Responsibility: Working for the Common Good."

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Saman Bemel-Benrud '09 created a piece of art for the conference that, in his words, "optimistically illustrates an international sphere in which cooperation is the method of interaction and the whole planet is working together for the common good."
This is the eighth annual "Globalization and Social Responsibility" conference, which has an ongoing theme of social responsibility. This year social science faculty members have invited scholars, activists and grassroots organizers to campus to study the world of work. They will investigate its place in the broader social relations produced by such things as expanding international trade, the development of new technologies and changing forms of political organization.

The two-day conference is free and open to the public. It will feature a variety of lectures and events that include:

  • A World Wide Service Fair held Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Buntrock Commons Crossroads that will connect students with reputable volunteer and service organizations.

  • A moderated discussion between Javier Morrillo-Alicea, president of Service Employees International Union Local 26 in Minneapolis, and Robert Muehlenkamp, St. Olaf's visiting Woodrow Wilson Fellow, on work and workers in the global economy. The discussion, titled "Labor Issues in a Period of Globalization" will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in Buntrock Commons' Black and Gold Ballroom.

  • A lecture by Manuel Escudero, senior adviser and head of United Nations Global Compact Special Projects within the Global Compact Office of the secretary general. His talk will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 in Buntrock Commons' Black and Gold Ballroom.

  • A speech by Bama Athreya, executive director for the International Labor Rights Fund, who will speak about her work in Cambodia, Indonesia and China on the issues of child labor and worker education programs. Her talk will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 23 in Buntrock Commons' Black and Gold Ballroom.

  • A variety of sessions sponsored by St. Olaf's social sciences departments that will explore different aspects of the conference theme. The sessions will take place 10:15-11:15 a.m. on Feb. 23.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.